Selwyn_Times: February 07, 2024

22 Selwyn Times Wednesday February 7 2024
SELWYN RURAL LIFE
Advertising Feature
Applying the Maramataka in
• By Isabelle Teresa
Many indigenous cultures around
the world operated on a lunar calendar,
including Polynesian, Hindu, Muslim,
Chinese and Indian peoples. The Māori
lunar calendar is called the Maramataka
(from “marama” moon, “taka” to turn).
For Māori, each day within the
moon’s cycle has its own name and
energies. For each day, particular
activities are recommended as being
most suitable to the moon’s energy
and your immediate environment and
therefore most likely to succeed. This
includes recommendations about when
to plant and harvest particular types of
crops, based on the understanding that
the gravitational pull of the moon is
influencing not only the tides but also
the water in the soil.
Agricultural research and practice is
increasingly learning from and applying
this approach. In 2006, an indepth
research report from Lincoln University
explored the maramataka of different
iwi across the country, demonstrated
the similarities and emphasised how
these understandings can contribute to
modern horticultural practices.
Last year, a two-year project in the
North Island held on-farm projects to
trial, observe and record the effects of
DSH Contracting,
Excavation and Cartage
021 323 931 dan@dsh.co.nz
www.christchurchexcavation.co.nz